JOBS + EDUCATION
Students and staff of the Future Sacramento program on the Sacramento State campus. From left, students Hector Hernandez, Manh Huynh, Roma Saeed, Jose Cardenas, Aime Millah and Executive Director Elizabeth Marlow.
them a sense of relief, so they can focus on their education.” Sandoval agrees:“[ My family ] didn’ t have to worry about anything, that was amazing, just having that relief. It was a real blessing for them.”
Since Sandoval was first accepted into the program, Future Sacramento has awarded more than 70 college scholarships, for a total of more than $ 490,000, and has mentored their students and helped them apply for and receive more than $ 1.7 million in grants and other scholarships. The program is mostly funded by small donors and individual gifts. There are currently 32 total students going through the Future Sacramento program, and since Sandoval’ s graduation two years ago, two other students from the first classes have earned their college degrees, and more will graduate this year.
To be considered for and to remain in the program, students must maintain at least a 3.0 GPA and take CSU or UC-eligible courses while in high school, Marlow says. More than 300 applicants in 11th grade apply every year,( Sandoval joined the program when they accepted 9th graders) across dozens of high schools in the Capital Region— most are first-generation college students from low-income families. After they’ ve done several interviews, and selected the final four, Marlow says they like to bring them in with their families, for what the students think is a final interview. It’ s there in a big room together with everyone in the program gathered around that the judges tell the new class they’ ve been accepted.“ They’ re told by their peers, not by a letter or a phone call. It’ s really special and unique.”
That day, the students and their families don’ t just find out that they’ re really going to be able to attend college, Marlow says, they find out that“ they’ re going with us behind them.” •
Robin Epley is the former associate editor for Comstock’ s magazine. On Twitter @ robin _ epley.
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